Communication is a fundamental part of everyday life. As early as the toddler stage, parents would already expect their tiny tots to start communicating. This would be the time that these little ones would start to mutter indistinctly to express needs. Here are five simple ways for parents to help their toddlers start talking.
Talk To The Child. Talk as much and as often to the child. Catch attention by calling the child's name. Play games that involve talking. Ask the toddler questions, allow time for a response. Confirm the response by repeating the word even if the child was not able to say it clearly.
Build Vocabulary. Grab every chance to say words to the child, say the word "milk" when giving the child's milk bottle. Use picture books as bedtime literature; say the words while pointing at the pictures. Teach the child the names of objects in the house, like for example the word "bed". Then from those vocabularies, parents can start to introduce short phrases like, "time for bed."
Develop Confidence. Avoid correcting the pronunciation; rather focus on what the toddler is trying to say. Increase the tot's confidence by repeating the words, "That's right an elephant!" The top strategy to keep them talking is to boost their self-belief that they are understood.
Check Comprehension. Normally children can understand a little more than they can say. There are activities to check the child's vocabulary level and equivalent understanding of the words. Giving simple instructions like "Get the book" will measure the child's comprehension skills.
Repeat The Routine. Consistency is imperative for the toddler's continuous development in talking abilities. Repeat words, songs or phrases until the tot shows mastery. Never forget to introduce new sets of words to level up.
Parents should always remember that children are great imitators, so give them something great to imitate. Be more careful with words and expressions in the house because the little kids would easily follow the expressions that they overhear. The way parents talk to the kids during this developmental milestone, will say much about how their own parents do the talking.
